Dravid, dressed simply for the occasion, stood next to the couple, his hand folded. Sanju looks around, like a deeply obliged student overjoyed to see his favorite teacher on Day D, to see if he can find someone to look after the special guest.
His family and friends are drawn to him. The father ascends the stage. Dravid is embarrassed by the attention and is shaking his head. He pats Sanju on the back, shakes his hand, and exits the spotlight.
Sanju and Dravid have a long history together. Sanju was released by KKR in 2013 after warming the dugout bench for the entire 2012 season. The wicket-keeper batter, who was only 18, was becoming restless.
He went to the Rajasthan Royals trials on a whim. Dravid, the skipper of the Jaipur franchise, would watch him bat there and was impressed by his instinctive batting approach.
Dravid either didn’t see those qualities in him or wasn’t in a position to make his case. It could even be bias of being too close, because he was aware of the weak points that others were unaware of. Still, how can anyone not be excited by a lower order that includes Sanju, Hardik Pandya, and DK at Nos. 5, 6, and 7?
